Burgtheater - FURTHER INFORMATION

Burgtheater - Vienna visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Burgtheater' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Wien.

The Burgtheater is quite large having 1175 seats, 81 standing places, and room for 12 wheelchairs and escorts. The programme focuses entirely on German speaking theater from all ages.

The Burgtheater was built during the reign of Maria Theresia and originally known as the K.K. Theater an der Burg. The current building dates from 1888. The two wings house the Grand Staircases leading up to the foyer. These are lined with busts of playwrights and the ceilings are decorated with frescoes by the Klimt brothers and Franz Matsch. Access to the staircases now is by guided tour only.

The front façade of the Burgtheater is topped by a statue of Apollo seated between Melpomene and Thalia who stand at either end above a frieze of Bacchus and Ariadne. The main entrance to the Burgtheater is at street level far below on Dr. Karl-Leuger-Ring. The theater now is dedicated to German spoken plays, but used to show operas and ballets as well.